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Biography

Representative Helen Giddings is presently serving her 13th term in the Texas House of Representatives. She serves on the committees on State Affairs as Vice-Chair, Appropriations, Calendars. Rep. Giddings also serves as the Chair of the Texas Legislative Black Caucus.

The Speaker of the House previously appointed her to the Texas Legislative Council Governing Board, the Supreme Court of Texas Permanent Judicial Commission for Children, Youth and Families, and the Joint Interim Committee to Study Alzheimer's Disease. She has previously chaired the Business & Industry Committee for three terms as well as the Dallas Area Legislative Delegation.

Rep. Giddings is also president of Multiplex Inc., a specialty concessions company, which she founded in 1989. Previously, Giddings served as Vice President of Leadership Development at the Greater Dallas Chamber of Commerce and as an executive with Sears, Roebuck & Company, where she was responsible for human resources for 11 states.

With a profound interest in the arts, Rep. Giddings has served on many boards including: the African American Museum; Dallas Symphony Board; Dallas Summer Musicals; Dallas Historical Society; and the Dallas Theater Center. Her contributions led to the African American Museum naming a room in her honor, the Helen Giddings Solarium.

Strongly committed to public service, she has served as the Board Chair of the Dallas Black Chamber of Commerce, Vice-Chair of the Dallas Transit Board, member of the Dallas Planning Commission, State Bar Grievance Committee and the Dallas County Grand Jury.

Rep. Giddings has served as President of the bi-partisan, 1600 member, National Foundation of Women Legislators. She was the first woman of color and the first Texan to be elected to this prestigious position in the group's history. Rep. Giddings served on the Executive Committees of the Women's Legislative Network of the National Conference of State Legislators and the National Organization of Black Elected Legislative (NOBEL) Women. She also is the previous Co-Chair of the Dallas Area Legislative Delegation.

Her civic service has earned special recognition and many awards including: the National Forum for Black Public Administrators Award (NFBPA); an Honorary Doctorate from Paul Quinn College; Dallas Black Chamber of Commerce Quest for Success Award; Dallas CAN Academy! Woman of the Year Award; Texas PTA Life Membership Award; National Association of Historically Black Colleges Alumni Award; Maura Women Helping Women Award; American Heart Association, "Heart of Honor" Award; University of Texas at Dallas Science and Engineering Advancement Award; Texas Library Association "100 Library Champions of the Century" Award; Texas Medical Association "Patiente Protectorae" Award; Prairie View A&M University "Humanitarian of the Year Award;" the African American Museum Heritage Award; Ebony Magazine's 100 Plus Most Influential Black American; and Outstanding Legislator Award; and the City of Lancaster has named its Amphitheater the "Helen Giddings Amphitheater." She also received the Texas Southern President's Medal and a scholarship in her name, called the "Helen Giddings College Completion Program."

Rep. Giddings introduces Speaker Joe Straus to District 109. In a visit arranged by Rep. Helen Giddings, Texas House of Representatives' Speaker Joe Straus made his first visit to the University of North Texas at Dallas on September 29, 2009

Rep. Giddings is pictured giving oath opening day of the 81st legislative session at the State Capitol.

Rep. Giddings is pictured with Speaker of the House Joe Straus, Mayor of Lancaster Marcus Knight, Mayor of DeSoto Bobby Waddle and other prestigious community leaders throughout district 109.

Rep. Giddings attends the Governors' signing of Senate Bill 629. SB 629 repealed provisions that placed limits on the number of revenue bonds the University of North Texas Dallas Campus could receive.

Dallas Can Academy principal Verna Mitchell is pictured giving testimony on certified teacher bill during the public education committee hearing at the State Capitol's 81st Legislative Session.

Rep. Giddings hosts the Cedar Hill and Desoto basketball teams at the State Capitol during the 81st legislative session. Both teams fought for the 5A State Boys' Basketball Championship May 14, 2009 in Austin.

Rep. Giddings hosts the DeSoto High School boy's basketball team at the State Capitol during the 81st legislative session. The DeSoto High School boy's basketball team won the 2009 5A State Boys' Basketball Championship in Austin.

Rep. Giddings hosts the Cedar Hill boy's basketball team at the State Capitol during the 81st legislative session. The Cedar Hill boys' basketball team were the Runner-Up for the 2009 5A State Championship.

Rep. Giddings speaks at a rally for Children's Health Insurance during the 80th Legislative Session. As a result of Giddings efforts, 127,000 more children are now eligible for CHIP.

Rep. Giddings hosts the Cedar Hill High School football team at the State Capitol during the 80th legislative session. The Cedar Hill High School football team won the 5A Division II State Football Championship.

Rep. Giddings hosts the Lancaster Girls Track team at the State Capitol
during the 80th legislative session. The Lancaster High School girls' Track & Field
team set a new record by winning the school's 7th consecutive
Class 4A State Track & Field Championship in Austin.

Rep. Giddings hosts the South Oak Cliff Boy's basketball team at the State Capitol during the 80th legislative session. The South Oak Cliff boys' basketball team won the 2007 UIL Class 4A State Boys' Basketball Championship.

Rep. Giddings hosted Everson Walls, former Dallas Cowboys football player, at the State Capitol. Mr. Walls selflessly gave one of his kidney's to friend and former teammate, Ron Springs. Giddings honored Mr. Walls on the floor of both the Texas House and Senate with a congratulatory resolution.

Rep. Giddings attends the signing of House Bill 109. HB 109 The bill removes significant barriers to CHIP enrollment by restoring the 12-month period of continuous coverage, and eliminating a 90-day wait period for coverage. These changes will give children the health insurance they need. They will have access to preventative care and life saving treatments.

Giddings successfully amended the appropriations bill to include more money
in the RetroFit Fund, and joint sponsored Senate Bill 12, the bill that includes
this provision. This important program provides money to low-income vehicle
owners to replace vehicles that fail the emissions test. For more information
about this program, call 1-800-898-9103.

Monday March 12, 2007, Representative Giddings met with Texas Federation of Teachers members to discuss education issues affecting the state of Texas and District 109.

Pictured are Representative Giddings, Pulitzer Prize winning photographer Irwin Thompson, and Speaker Tom Craddick. On February 13, 2007, Irwin Thompson, a Dallas Morning News Photographer, was honored on the floor of the Texas House. Mr. Thompson won the Pulitzer Prize for his photographs of the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

Pictured are Representative Giddings and Astronaut Joan Higginbotham during Joan Higginbotham Day at the Capitol February 6, 2007.

Representative Giddings hosted Ruby Young Elementary School 4th graders at the Capitol on January 12, 2007. Students enjoyed a Question and Answer conversation with Rep. Giddings as well as a personal tour through her office.

Representative Giddings and students from Permenter Middle School in Cedar Hill, Texas engage in a simulation of legislative debate as a part of the National Conference of State Legislator's Back to School Week.

Representative Giddings addresses students from Permenter Middle School in Cedar Hill, Texas as a part of the National Conference of State Legislator's Back to School Week. Giddings explained to students that their ideas count, and it is never to early to get involved in our representative democracy.